Optimism over NCA signing

Negotiators representing the government and ethnic armed groups reached agreement on 10 of 13 amendments to a prospective national ceasefire deal Thursday, the second day of talks aimed at finalizing the draft pact the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 24 July.
With only three amendments outstanding after the two days of talks, the Union Peace-Making Work Committee and a senior delegation of ethnic armed organizations are confident of finalizing the draft pact during the current round, negotiators said.
Pu Zing Cung, a deputy leader of the ethnic delegation, said all proposedamendments have been discussed during the two days, but some points need approval from ethnic leaders.
Among the amendments approved on Day 2 was the stipulation that women should comprise around 30 percent of participants in political dialogue after the ceasefire deal, he added.
“Amendment of the draft nationwide ceasefire accord is expected to be finalized within a few days,”Hla Maung Shwe, from the Myanmar Peace Centre, is quoted as saying.